Workforce

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) unveiled a new video at its annual Workforce Summit highlighting the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint, the state’s coordinated plan to fill 35,000 manufacturing jobs each year. The video showcases Ohio’s leadership in fast-growing sectors such as semiconductors, advanced automotive, aerospace, and biopharmaceuticals, while emphasizing the need to scale a skilled, future-ready workforce.

Produced through the Ohio Manufacturing Talent Partnership, the video outlines the blueprint’s five pillars: connecting systems, growing career awareness, broadening the talent pool, aligning education and training, and expanding earn-and-learn models.

“Ohio has the momentum, the investment and the infrastructure,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “Now it’s about people, connecting talent to opportunity and keeping Ohio at the forefront of manufacturing.” 11/6/2025

Plenary and keynote sessions at the annual Workforce Summit focused on preparing industry for an evolving workforce landscape and strengthening statewide alignment. AI strategist, Todd McLees, opened with “Building AI Agility — Competing and Thriving in the New Economy,” offering practical guidance on using AI to reduce waste, accelerate decision-making, improve safety, and build organizational agility — the real advantage in an AI-driven era. His message emphasized the importance of ongoing learning and team empowerment.

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel followed with an energizing keynote underscoring Ohio’s Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint, the unified strategy guiding collaboration among manufacturers, educators, and workforce partners to grow talent pipelines and expand opportunity. His remarks highlighted the continued need for coordinated action statewide.

The afternoon plenary, “Tackling the Technician Shortage — A Bold, Manufacturer-Led Strategy for Ohio,” showcased manufacturers directly involved in designing a scalable earn-and-learn technician model with the OMA, Accenture and the Ohio Manufacturing Talent Partnership to address statewide demand and strengthen workforce competitiveness.

Opt in to the Workforce Community, and stay engaged as these strategies continue to scale — and help shape the future of Ohio’s manufacturing workforce. 11/6/2025

Breakout sessions at the eighth annual Workforce Summit equipped educators, workforce partners and manufacturers with new tools to support student engagement and talent development. Attendees learned more about the new MakingOhio Hands-on Group Activities, designed to spark interest in manufacturing through collaborative, tactile learning. Updates to the Competency Model Curriculum Assessment also offer clearer alignment between instruction and the industry knowledge, skills, and abilities manufacturers need.

Speakers highlighted strategies to strengthen employer engagement, build awareness among young learners and support populations facing barriers to employment. These sessions emphasized replicable models that can be applied regionally to improve career awareness and accelerate entry into in-demand pathways.

As these tools continue to scale statewide, manufacturers interested in exploring workforce models, such as WorkAdvance, or expanding outreach efforts are encouraged to engage with their local ISP to get involved. 11/6/2025

In a recent blog post titled “Only 9% of You Are Ready for the Silver Tsunami,” Ben Brugler, president and CEO of Akhia, issued a call to action for manufacturing leaders. Brugler noted that with more than 11,000 baby boomers retiring every day, only about 9% of manufacturers are equipped to bring in and keep the next generation of talent. He urged manufacturers to focus on people over products, share authentic workforce stories, open doors to new talent and position manufacturing as a problem-solving profession rather than just a job.

His message echoes the goals of the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint, which emphasizes industry-led collaboration to grow and sustain the state’s manufacturing talent pool.

Click here to read the full open letter and Connections Partner Akhia’s call to action. 11/3/2025

Although registration has closed, the eighth annual Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit is set to bring together industry leaders, educators, and workforce partners this Thursday in Columbus. Hosted by the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), the summit will tackle the No. 1 issue facing manufacturers statewide — finding and developing skilled workers. Attendees will explore proven strategies for building talent pipelines, hear success stories from across Ohio, and learn how state and regional initiatives are preparing the next generation of manufacturing talent. The OMA will share highlights and key takeaways from the event with members following the summit. 10/29/2025

Funded by a $2 million grant awarded through the Ohio Career Technical Education Equipment Grant Program, Wayne High School recently announced the completion of construction on a new Robotics, Automation and Manufacturing Lab.

In partnership with Miami Valley Career Technology Center, nearly 800 students are enrolled in career technical courses at Wayne High School. The new space and additional course offerings in robotics and 3D printing and design will ensure that students have access to hands-on training in manufacturing processes and automation technologies that prepare them for high-demand careers in manufacturing. 10/29/2025

Ohio manufacturers are facing a growing need for skilled technicians. To meet this challenge, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), in partnership with Accenture, is developing a one-year, earn-and-learn program designed by manufacturers to prepare entry-level technicians for advanced manufacturing careers.

Built around the Ohio Manufacturing Competency Model, the program is being shaped through workshops with more than 20 manufacturers —including Honda, Worthington Steel, Talan Products and GMi Companies — who are defining the core knowledge and skills needed statewide. The initiative will blend classroom learning with paid, on-the-job training, providing industry credentials that link to college credit. The project is accelerated by longstanding efforts defined by the Ohio Manufacturing Talent Partnership to bridge the talent gap, and aligns funding and wraparound service models to set a long-term governance and operations structure for statewide scalability.

Launching the first pilot in 2026, this collaborative effort will create a scalable, statewide solution to close Ohio’s manufacturing talent gap and strengthen its industrial competitiveness. 10/20/2025

On Thurs., Nov. 6, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Workforce Summit returns to Columbus with a keynote address from Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel. Known for his thoughtful leadership and lifelong commitment to education and workforce development, Tressel will offer an inspiring perspective on Ohio’s path forward. His message will both ground and energize attendees as they continue working to strengthen the state’s manufacturing talent pipeline.

Tressel’s remarks coincide with the recent release of the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint, highlighting the power of statewide alignment and collaboration among manufacturers, educators, and workforce partners.

Register today to join Lt. Gov. Tressel and hundreds of manufacturing workforce peers for a day-long, packed agenda of learning and networking. 10/14/2025

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) is partnering with the Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) and DriveOhio on the #STEMmovesOhio Design Challenge, a statewide initiative engaging K–12 students in solving real-world problems. This year’s challenge focuses on Ohio’s electric transportation future and the manufacturing industries that power it.

OMA is seeking manufacturers to volunteer and share their expertise with students and educators. Volunteers do not need to be technical experts in electric transportation—manufacturers from all sectors are encouraged to participate. Opportunities include answering student questions online through the Industry Insights option or connecting directly with classrooms as PowerUp Partners through virtual or in-person coaching, guest speaking or hosting site tours.

Most volunteer opportunities require just one to three hours between October 2025 and January 2026. This is a meaningful way to spark student interest in manufacturing careers and help shape Ohio’s next generation of innovators. Visit the OSLN website to learn more and sign up. 10/14/2025

The OMA, in partnership with the Ohio Association of Career-Technical Superintendents, met with Ohio Technical Centers this week to kick off a statewide effort to assess the alignment of short-term manufacturing training programs to manufacturers’ needs using the OMA Competency Model curriculum assessment tool. Ohio Technical Centers train manufacturing operators and technicians in short-term, one-year-or-less technical programs at 49 locations across the state.

This effort supports one of the key pillars of Ohio’s recently announced Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint to better align and scale education and training programs in order to optimize programming, drive completions and build stackable, seamless postsecondary pathways for adult learners. 10/8/2025

October is Manufacturing Month — the perfect time to help students explore the exciting world of modern manufacturing. Chip City Adventures is a free, interactive e-learning experience on MakingOhio that introduces students to in-demand careers in semiconductor manufacturing, energy, biopharma and electric vehicles.

This dynamic tool brings manufacturing career pathways to life in an engaging, accessible way for students and educators alike. Explore Chip City Adventures and share it during your Manufacturing Month activities. 10/8/2025

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), represented by Board member Mary Garceau of Sherwin-Williams and Jessica Borza, Managing Director of Workforce Services, recently joined JobsOhio, Sherwin-Williams, and other leaders for MAGNET’s ribbon cutting of the Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) in Cleveland Metropolitan Schools (CMSD).

This initiative will bring more than 1,000 low-cost robotics kits, featuring 3D-printed components, into CMSD classrooms this fall, expanding access to hands-on STEM learning. OMA, along with its Endorsed Industry Sector Partnership, MAGNET, played a central role in aligning support from Sherwin-Williams and JobsOhio to help bring XRP to Ohio classrooms.

At a roundtable discussion, Borza outlined OMA’s strategy for scaling manufacturing education across the state. She emphasized OMA’s role in aligning K-12, career technical education, and industry pathways. She underscored the critical role of public-private partnerships in driving innovative solutions like XRP, and how these collaborations are essential to equipping Ohio students for careers shaped by automation, AI, and robotics.

Learn more about the Experiential Robotics Platform and the impact it will have on Ohio’s manufacturing talent pipeline. 10/1/2025

This week, The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association convened its Workforce Committee to advance a unified statewide strategy for recruiting and developing manufacturing talent.

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin joined OMA leadership to announce the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint, emphasizing the value of public-private partnerships and statewide alignment.

Kristi Clouse, Senior Managing Director of Talent at JobsOhio, also shared details on the new Relocation Incentive Program, aimed at helping manufacturers attract out-of-state technical and STEM talent. 9/25/2025

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, in partnership with Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, announced the launch of Ohio’s Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint 2025—a unified, statewide strategy to grow and strengthen Ohio’s manufacturing talent pipeline.

The Blueprint outlines five strategic priorities to transform workforce systems, expand awareness, broaden talent pools and scale earn-and-learn pathways to meet the industry’s rising demand for skilled workers. With more than 35,000 new job openings projected annually, this Blueprint represents a critical call to action for industry, education and workforce partners across the state.

Learn more about the Blueprint and how it will shape the future of Ohio’s manufacturing workforce. 9/25/2025

A key workforce provision in the newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks a major step forward in expanding career pathways for Ohioans.

The law now allows Pell Grant funding to be used for short-term credential programs — opening the door for more individuals to access affordable, skills-based training aligned with in-demand careers, including those in manufacturing.

Governor Mike DeWine applauded the provision, noting its significance in “creating more pathways for Ohioans to gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy.” The change, long supported by Ohio leaders, positions manufacturing employers to benefit from a stronger, more accessible talent pipeline.

As implementation moves forward, this expansion of Workforce Pell will be an important tool in helping more Ohioans prepare for and succeed in high-demand careers. 9/17/2025

Ohio is taking another bold step to strengthen its manufacturing workforce. In a joint memo, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) announced that the state’s revised K-12 Engineering and Manufacturing Career Field Content Standards are now directly aligned with the OMA Manufacturing Competency Model.

This alignment ensures that Ohio students are learning skills defined by manufacturers themselves—bridging classroom instruction with real-world workplace demands. As Governor Mike DeWine noted, this move signals to employers nationwide and worldwide that Ohio is ready with a skilled workforce today and for the future.

Read Ohio’s full statement to learn more. 9/10/2025

JobsOhio has released a new resource to support manufacturers and other employers in expanding their approach to workforce development.

The Underserved, Underrepresented, and Veteran Talent Resource Guide offers actionable tools and insights to help companies tap into often-overlooked talent pools. From hiring best practices to retention strategies, the guide supports engagement with underserved communities, underrepresented populations, veterans, people with disabilities and rural talent.

As manufacturers face ongoing workforce shortages, this guide can help identify untapped pipelines of skilled, motivated workers. 9/3/2025

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has announced updates to K-12 industry-recognized credential funding, which strengthens pathways into high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, IT, and skilled trades.

Beginning this school year, schools will receive $725 per credential earned from the state’s Innovative Workforce Incentive Program (IWIP) list—a boost that directs resources to credentials with the greatest impact for students and employers.

By focusing on in-demand sectors, Ohio is ensuring students graduate with the skills to step directly into rewarding careers, while manufacturers and other employers benefit from a stronger, better-prepared talent pipeline. 8/21/2025

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and ODEW Director Stephen Dackin announced a $7.1 million investment to expand career-connected learning through the new Career Pathway Support Networks. These regional networks will bring together schools, employers, and community leaders to align education with workforce needs and expand opportunities for students.

More than 141,000 Ohio students took part in at least one career-tech course during the 2023-2024 school year, and the state aims to build on this momentum while closing enrollment gaps in underserved districts.

The OMA and Industry Sector Partnerships (ISPs) are well-positioned to support the initiative. ISPs connect manufacturers with local schools and lead employer engagement in their communities, ensuring manufacturers’ needs are central to shaping student career pathways. Manufacturers interested in strengthening these efforts are encouraged to connect with their local ISP to help shape the next generation of Ohio’s workforce. 8/20/2025

Manufacturers across Ohio now have access to a stronger, more predictable talent pipeline with the approval of nine new Industry-Recognized Transfer Assurance Guides (ITAGs). Guided by the OMA’s priority list—developed in partnership with manufacturers statewide—the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) is ensuring that training programs align with the skills employers need most.

The newest ITAGs address critical areas like CNC machining, robotics, Industry 4.0, and programmable controller systems. This alignment gives manufacturers confidence that future workers will arrive with proven, industry-recognized competencies—helping companies fill high-demand roles faster and with greater consistency.

By continuing to act on the OMA’s industry-driven list, ODHE is helping to close skills gaps and strengthen Ohio’s manufacturing competitiveness. Learn more about how ITAGS can benefit your company. 8/20/2025